DHA’s NABIDH now connects over 9.47 million patient records and 1,300+ healthcare facilities

The Dubai Health Authority's (DHA) NABIDH initiative marks a major leap in healthcare digitization, unifying over 9.47 million patient records across more than 1,300 healthcare facilities. This system — which connects 81% of Dubai's healthcare professionals — aims to streamline patient data management, reduce errors, and elevate patient care by providing a single digital medical record accessible across all healthcare providers in Dubai.

This new step reflects DHA's commitment to positioning Dubai as a leader in smart healthcare.

How does it work?

NABIDH — which stands for Network & Analysis Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health — serves as a centralized platform for electronic medical records, enabling real-time sharing of health data across public and private healthcare facilities. Through the partnership with infrastructure specialist Kyndryl, NABIDH ensures a secure, uninterrupted system where healthcare providers can access unified patient data, fostering efficient and accurate care.

According to Dr. Mohammad Al Redha, Director of DHA's Health Informatics and Smart Health Department, "NABIDH's expansion to connect over 1,300 facilities and manage 9.47 million records is a notable achievement for Dubai's digital health ecosystem."

This integration is also aligned with the UAE's Riayati initiative, aiming for a single medical file per individual across the country.

Why does it matter?

With the vision of transforming Dubai into the "smartest city in the world," NABIDH is more than a technological milestone - it's a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery. By consolidating medical histories, NABIDH enables doctors to make well-informed decisions, improves patient outcomes, and enhances disease prevention strategies. This initiative facilitates better patient-physician relationships, streamlined communication among healthcare professionals, and efficient decision-making.

DHA's CEO of Shared Support Services, Ms. Mona Bajman, highlighted this impact, stating that NABIDH "created a secure environment for exchanging reliable health data... ensuring the highest standards of privacy, accuracy, and speed."

The context

The creation and expansion of NABIDH align with Dubai's broader goals of digital transformation, spurred by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Their commitment to making Dubai a global leader in digital health drives initiatives like NABIDH, which reflects Dubai's dedication to health sustainability and excellence in service.

The DHA recently hosted a workshop with Kyndryl to engage the private sector in this vision, emphasizing the role of AI, digital records, and modern technology in advancing patient outcomes.

As Pieter Bil, Kyndryl's Senior Vice President, put it, "By ensuring NABIDH's secure and uninterrupted service, we are helping to create a more connected and efficient healthcare ecosystem."